Tropical storm forces closure of Houston Ship Channel

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
HOUSTON — The Houston Ship Channel currently remains closed, but the Captain of the Port has commenced the re-opening process.  The port community faces six primary post-storm response phase tasks:
Search and rescue
Immediate relief for personnel who have catastrophic loss
Initial damage assessment
Restoration of operational capability
Establishing an emergency logistics system as necessary to support relief operations
Maintenance of command, control and communication functions
The post-storm response phase and subsequent process of re-opening the port will be managed by the Port Coordination Team at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston.  The Captain of the Port anticipates setting Port Condition Recovery once conditions allow and damage assessment surveys will begin at that time.  Once the surveys are complete, port restrictions will be eased as conditions allow. 
 
Ships Waiting to Enter Port:      22  
 
Ships Waiting to Depart Port:    04   
For more information concerning the specifics of the port re-opening process, please visit:
  
 
By Professional Mariner Staff